Comments on: on solution selling http://www.paradoxica.net/2006/04/25/solution-selling/ new media developer / urban nomad Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:05:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 By: Meredith http://www.paradoxica.net/2006/04/25/solution-selling/#comment-147 Meredith Wed, 03 May 2006 04:35:20 +0000 http://www.paradoxica.net/2006/04/25/solution-selling/#comment-147 hey Scott, I just wanted to let you know that I just looked at the source of this page in html (I know a little bit)....and my head pretty much exploded. Just thought I would share. :) ~meredith oh, and here is the link to my new page. :) hey Scott, I just wanted to let you know that I just looked at the source of this page in html (I know a little bit)….and my head pretty much exploded. Just thought I would share. :)

~meredith

oh, and here is the link to my new page. :)

]]> By: Paul http://www.paradoxica.net/2006/04/25/solution-selling/#comment-140 Paul Sat, 29 Apr 2006 02:18:55 +0000 http://www.paradoxica.net/2006/04/25/solution-selling/#comment-140 Thanks maeve. I'm glad that I've got you paranoid. Just kidding! Actually, I'm glad that in being so particular about God's truth, I've got you thinking carefully about what you say :) But really, I think the metaphor is great. I think that we should be more honest in presenting the Gospel though. The ego-destroying character of the Gospel should never be glossed over-- we're offering life, but life through the transformation of grace that results in death to self. Wouldn't it be nice if "Gospel pamphlets" mentioned Jesus' command to be baptized (symbolizing our death to self and life in Christ)? Wouldn't it be nice if they also reminded the Christian to-be that he or she will be initiated into the Body of Christ (contra an often radical notion that 'Jesus is all you need' when in reality you can't have Jesus without having His people too)? As of now, I have a sick feeling that much of the "Gospel" presentation we see is really a lot of smoke and mirrors to disguise a psychological, people-pleasing approach to salvation. It's more about feeling saved than it is about actually being saved. Hence the motion by some to "pray the prayer one more time, but this time really believing!" for those who say they have prayed to Christ but don't feel like they've been changed. Repentence must be clearly explained (think of the torn hearts of the men and women who heard Peter's first sermon in Acts 3) and the power of the Holy Spirit is not to be missed. All in all, I think that we need Spirit-inspired people to preach the Gospel (i.e. modern-day 'apostles' of sorts, though the term seems to be obsolete now) , and for those who are not called to do this I think that another approach to sharing the Gospel should be emphasized. I think what's most important is that we as laypeople BELIEVE the Gospel first, and see it as the central point of our salvation and life in Christ--then He will renew our hearts and minds to "be ready to present the hope that we have" in Christ Jesus Our Lord at all times. Thanks maeve. I’m glad that I’ve got you paranoid. Just kidding! Actually, I’m glad that in being so particular about God’s truth, I’ve got you thinking carefully about what you say :) But really, I think the metaphor is great. I think that we should be more honest in presenting the Gospel though. The ego-destroying character of the Gospel should never be glossed over– we’re offering life, but life through the transformation of grace that results in death to self. Wouldn’t it be nice if “Gospel pamphlets” mentioned Jesus’ command to be baptized (symbolizing our death to self and life in Christ)? Wouldn’t it be nice if they also reminded the Christian to-be that he or she will be initiated into the Body of Christ (contra an often radical notion that ‘Jesus is all you need’ when in reality you can’t have Jesus without having His people too)?

As of now, I have a sick feeling that much of the “Gospel” presentation we see is really a lot of smoke and mirrors to disguise a psychological, people-pleasing approach to salvation. It’s more about feeling saved than it is about actually being saved. Hence the motion by some to “pray the prayer one more time, but this time really believing!” for those who say they have prayed to Christ but don’t feel like they’ve been changed. Repentence must be clearly explained (think of the torn hearts of the men and women who heard Peter’s first sermon in Acts 3) and the power of the Holy Spirit is not to be missed. All in all, I think that we need Spirit-inspired people to preach the Gospel (i.e. modern-day ‘apostles’ of sorts, though the term seems to be obsolete now) , and for those who are not called to do this I think that another approach to sharing the Gospel should be emphasized. I think what’s most important is that we as laypeople BELIEVE the Gospel first, and see it as the central point of our salvation and life in Christ–then He will renew our hearts and minds to “be ready to present the hope that we have” in Christ Jesus Our Lord at all times.

]]> By: Maeve http://www.paradoxica.net/2006/04/25/solution-selling/#comment-139 Maeve Thu, 27 Apr 2006 05:44:05 +0000 http://www.paradoxica.net/2006/04/25/solution-selling/#comment-139 I think that there is a "God-shaped hole" in us, at least that is what it felt like to me. And I think that the only way to fill it IS knowing Jesus. The "everything will be fine" part is the problem. I think that is the issue here: people do have needs and other people do have products/services/etc that fulfill those needs. It is the satisfaction guaranteed approach to the marketing that is the problem. Satisfaction can be guaranteed if someone comes to know and follow Christ because they will be saved. They will not, however, have the perfect, easy, happy life that people try to sell. They will still be living on this earth with its problems and their own shortcomings. People who buy an air purifier will have cleaner air that contains less allergens. They will still need to replace the filters and go outside and other places where the air will contain impurities. It is the upkeep of the product that is meant to alleviate the problems and the inevitable impact of the world that is outside of the scope of the product that they neglect to tell you about. (I am not saying that the world is outside the scope of impact God has nor am I claiming that this metaphor is air tight. Paul, I'm looking at you :P) In order for people to find a solution that truly affects their problems, they need to realize that nothing is a perfect quick fix. I think that there is a “God-shaped hole” in us, at least that is what it felt like to me. And I think that the only way to fill it IS knowing Jesus. The “everything will be fine” part is the problem. I think that is the issue here: people do have needs and other people do have products/services/etc that fulfill those needs. It is the satisfaction guaranteed approach to the marketing that is the problem. Satisfaction can be guaranteed if someone comes to know and follow Christ because they will be saved. They will not, however, have the perfect, easy, happy life that people try to sell. They will still be living on this earth with its problems and their own shortcomings. People who buy an air purifier will have cleaner air that contains less allergens. They will still need to replace the filters and go outside and other places where the air will contain impurities. It is the upkeep of the product that is meant to alleviate the problems and the inevitable impact of the world that is outside of the scope of the product that they neglect to tell you about. (I am not saying that the world is outside the scope of impact God has nor am I claiming that this metaphor is air tight. Paul, I’m looking at you :P)

In order for people to find a solution that truly affects their problems, they need to realize that nothing is a perfect quick fix.

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